JPH02187367A - Method and device for recording and color ink sheet used therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve performance by partly melting in, adhering it to an intermediate transfer medium, isolating it from a solid ink of a not recorded part while the ink remains in a melting state, and transferring an ink image of the state that an ink image is solid. CONSTITUTION:When a resistance heat generating sheet 9 generates heat, ink 2 of the part in contact with it is melted to becomes a melting state, and only the melted ink is adhered to the surface of a transfer drum 5. The transfer drum 5, an ink sheet 3 and the resistance heat generating sheet 9 are sequentially fed in this state in a direction of an arrow, and the ink sheet 3 is separated from the transfer drum 5. If the transfer drum 5 is separated immediately after the ink 2 is melted, the melted ink 2 holds the melting state at the time of separating. As a result, the ink 2 melted and adhered to the transfer drum 5 is easily isolated from the part of the ink as remaining solid, thereby forming an ink image 1 on the transfer drum 5.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] Industrial Application Field The present invention is used in printers, digital copiers, facsimiles, etc., and is a recording method for recording desired images or characters in response to electrical signals, and a recording method using the same. The present invention relates to a recording apparatus, particularly a recording method advantageous for color recording, the recording apparatus, and a color ink sheet used therefor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In recent years, thermal transfer recording methods using a thermal head and an ink sheet have been put into practical use as a recording method used in printers and the like, as shown in Japanese Patent Publication No. 47717/1982 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 50198/1983. ing.

An example of a conventional recording apparatus using such a thermal transfer recording method will be described below.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a conventional recording apparatus. In FIG. 9, a thermal head 101 has a large number of heat generating parts 109 arranged in rows in the width direction of the recording paper 103. Reference numeral 104 is an ink sheet, and a heat-melting ink is applied onto a film-like base material. thermal head 10
1, the ink sheet 104 is pressed against the platen 102 with its ink surface aligned with the recording paper 103. In this state, the platen 102. Recording paper 103. While moving the ink sheet 104 in the directions of the arrows, the heat generating unit 109 generates heat in accordance with the recording signal to melt the ink in the area facing the ink and adhere to the recording paper 103, and then the ink sheet 104 is removed from the recording paper 103. A separated ink image 105 is formed on the recording paper 103.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, with such conventional recording methods, ink is difficult to adhere to paper with poor surface smoothness, and ink often falls off, resulting in poor image quality. When overlapping color recording is performed, it is difficult for the color to be added later to adhere to the recording paper due to the unevenness created by the ink itself, and the recording paper is likely to shift, making it difficult to achieve color positioning accuracy. There are other issues such as:

Additionally, as a method of improving the recording characteristics on plain paper, there is a method of forming an ink image on an intermediate medium and then transferring it onto the recording paper again, as shown in Japanese Patent Publication No. 16932/1983. However, in this case, all of the ink on the intermediate medium is not transferred onto the recording paper, and as a result, untransferred ink remains on the intermediate medium, which must be cleaned.

In addition, there are recording methods other than thermal transfer, such as inkjet and electrophotographic recording methods, but these methods are difficult to use because of the clogging of nozzles caused by using liquid ink and the staining of the device by using powder toner. maintenance was essential.

In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a recording method that is capable of recording high-quality images at high speed even on recording paper with low surface smoothness, does not require cleaning, and does not require maintenance, and a recording method using the same. The present invention provides a recording device.

In addition, the present invention provides a color recording method that can perform good color overlapping and positioning of each color with high precision in color recording, and can record high-quality color images with a simple configuration, and a color recording device using the same. .

Furthermore, the present invention provides an intermediate transfer medium and a color ink sheet that can exhibit excellent performance when used in these recording devices.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, the recording method and recording apparatus of the present invention include an intermediate transfer medium having elasticity, a heat-melting ink, and a recording method that partially heats and melts the ink. The solid ink is partially melted by the recording head and attached to the intermediate transfer medium, and while the ink is in a molten state, the ink is separated from the solid ink in the unrecorded area. An image forming process in which an image is formed on an intermediate transfer medium, and an ink image is attached to the recording paper by pressing the recording paper against the intermediate transfer medium, and when the ink image is in a solid state, the recording paper is removed from the intermediate transfer medium. The ink image is formed on the recording paper through a transfer step of separating the ink image and transferring the ink image onto the recording paper.

Furthermore, the color recording method and color recording apparatus of the present invention are capable of forming ink images of different colors on the intermediate transfer medium, and then transferring the multicolor ink images onto the recording paper at once through a single transfer process. It is to be formed.

Furthermore, in order to achieve a good recording process, an electric current recording method is used in the image forming process, an elastic material with a solubility factor of 7.5 or less is used as the intermediate transfer medium, and for color recording,
It uses a color ink sheet in which color inks of different viscosities are applied sequentially onto a base sheet.

Effect of the present invention By using the method described above, the intermediate transfer medium closely follows the uneven surface of the recording paper, making it possible to form a clear image even on paper with low surface smoothness such as pound paper, and at the same time, the ink solidifies during the transfer process. Since the ink is peeled off to the recording paper side in this state, the shear strength of the ink film is strong (the ink is transferred to the recording paper without being sheared, and no ink remains on the intermediate transfer medium, so there is no need for cleaning.

Further, in the image forming process, the ink is separated from the intermediate transfer medium while it is in a molten state, so that a good image can be formed even on the intermediate transfer medium where the ink is easily sheared and has good releasability.

Furthermore, since multiple color inks are recorded in layers on the intermediate transfer medium and then transferred one at a time, each color can be aligned with high precision, and paper feeding is easy and trouble-free. Hateful. This is particularly advantageous when using cut paper.

Further, by using an electric recording method in the image forming process, high-speed recording becomes possible, and it becomes effective in separating the ink from the intermediate transfer medium while it is in a molten state.

Further, by using a material with a solubility factor of 7.5 or less and weak adhesion to the ink for the intermediate transfer medium, the ink is easily peeled off from the intermediate transfer medium in the transfer process, and it becomes easier to transfer the entire amount of the ink.

Furthermore, by using color inks with different viscosities for each color and layering the inks on the intermediate transfer medium in descending order of viscosity, the overlying ink can easily run out, allowing for good color overlapping.

Furthermore, since a solid ink sheet is used and there is no need for cleaning, maintenance of the apparatus is also unnecessary.

EXAMPLE A first example of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a recording apparatus as an example using the recording method according to the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the state of the transfer process of the recording method and recording apparatus according to the present invention. Further, FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the state when a transfer defect occurs in the transfer process.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, numeral 3 denotes an ink sheet, which is formed by uniformly applying heat-melting ink 2 to a base material 4 made of a plastic film having a thickness of about 3 to 91 m. Reference numeral 7 designates an energized recording head, which includes a large number of electrode needles 30 arranged in the width direction and a return path electrode 31 provided opposite to the electrode needles 30.
and are fixed with a support member 33. Reference numeral 9 denotes a resistance heating sheet, which is hung endlessly between the current-carrying recording head 7 and the roller 13. 5 is a transfer drum, the surface of which is made of silicone rubber. The energized recording head 7 is configured so that it can be pressed against the transfer drum 5 with the resistive heating sheet 9 and the ink sheet 3 sandwiched between them, and can be moved continuously in the direction of the arrow as the transfer drum 5 rotates during recording. It is composed of 20 is a heat roller 21 is a guide roller, 15 is an endless belt, the endless belt 15 is a heat roller 20
At the time of transfer, the Heatronillar is applied with tension between
20 and guide roller 21 so that the transfer drum 5 can be moved in the direction of the arrow while being pressed against it.

Next, the operation will be explained. First, when a recording signal is input to the recording electrode needle 30 with the energized recording head 7 in contact with the resistance heating sheet 9 and pressing the transfer drum 5 with the ink sheet 3 in between, the recording electrode of the resistance heating sheet 9 A current flows between the needle 30 and the return electrode 31, and the resistance heating sheet 9 partially generates heat in response to the recording signal. When the resistance heating sheet 9 generates heat, the ink 2 in the portion in contact with it melts into a molten state, and only the molten ink adheres to the surface of the transfer drum 5. In this state, transfer drum 5. Ink sheet 3. The ink sheet 3 is pulled away from the transfer drum 5 while the resistance heating sheet 9 is sequentially fed in the direction of the arrow.

At this time, the energized recording RAD 7 generates heat in the resistance heating sheet 9 near its right end, and the recording cycle of the energized recording RAD 7 is adjusted as much as possible so that the ink sheet 3 is immediately separated from the transfer drum 5 when the ink 2 melts. Short, preferably 1-2
ms/1ine or less, and the position where the ink sheet 3 is separated from the transfer drum 5 is also preferably within 2 to 31 inches behind the recording position. If the ink 2 is immediately pulled away from the transfer drum 5, the melted ink 2 remains in a molten state at the time it is pulled away, and as a result, it is melted and removed from the transfer drum 5.
The ink 2 adhered to the transfer drum 5 is easily separated from the solid ink 2 portion, and an ink image 1 can be formed on the transfer drum 5.

In this way, the ink image 1 recorded on the transfer drum 5 is sent to a transfer section composed of a heat roller 20, a guide roller 21, an endless belt 15, etc. without being naturally cooled. When the ink image 1 comes directly under the heat roller 20, it is heated by the heat roller 20 and pressed against the recording paper 10 that is fed between the endless belt 15 and the transfer drum 5, and is heated again by the heat roller 20. It is melted and attached to the recording paper 10. Thereafter, the ink image 1 and the recording paper 10 are kept pressed together by the endless belt 15 and are sent along with the movement of the endless heald 15. During this time, the ink image is cooled by heat radiation, and the ink image 10 and the recording paper 10 are transferred to the transfer drum. It solidifies in a state where it is sandwiched between 5. When the recording paper 10 is separated from the transfer drum 5 at the position of the guide roller 21 after solidification, the ink image l attached to the recording paper 10 is completely peeled off from the transfer drum 5 and transferred onto the recording paper 10 without being cut. After the transfer is completed, the transfer drum 5 is sent to the recording section again, and the above-described operations are performed sequentially to form an ink image on the recording paper lO in accordance with the recording signal.

In this example, the ink transfer rate was set to 1 (10) at the time of transfer peeling.
%, an elastic silicone rubber is used for the transfer drum 5, and it is brought into pressure contact with the recording paper 10 to cause the ink image l to follow the uneven surface of the recording paper.
The ink image 1 is configured to be peeled off after solidification. When the ink image becomes solid, its shear strength increases dramatically compared to when it is in a molten state, so it will not be sheared, and since silicone rubber has weak adhesion to ink, it will have strong adhesion. All of them are transferred to the recording paper 10.

In addition, in the transfer process, the recording paper 10 is transferred from the transfer drum 5.
Factors that determine the transfer rate of ink to the recording paper IO include the difference in adhesive strength between the ink and the transfer drum 5 and the recording paper IO, the shear strength of the ink image 1, the degree of adhesion between the recording paper IO and the ink image 1, and the ink There are things like the film thickness of the image. Therefore, in order to increase the transfer rate, it is necessary to use a material for the transfer drum 5 that is as flexible as possible and has good releasability from ink. As shown in FIG. 3, at the time of transfer, the ink image l is transferred to the recording paper 1.
Maintaining a constant membrane Jzo without penetrating into 0,
(As shown in FIG. 4, when the ink permeates into the recording paper 10, a part with a very thin ink film is formed, and this part is easily sheared, causing the ink to run out and remain on the transfer drum 5. ) For this purpose, it is preferable that the ink 2 has as high a melt viscosity as possible and is not too thin. Furthermore, in order to make it difficult for the ink to permeate into the recording paper 10, it is important to set the time during which the ink is in contact with the recording paper 10 in a molten state to be short.

For the above reasons, it has been confirmed that favorable results can be obtained by using an ink with a film thickness of 2 μm or more and a melt viscosity of 50 cp or more for Ink 2, and peeling off after cooling within a short time.

In addition, in order to make the transfer rate 1 (10)% or close to 1 (10)%, it is preferable to use a material with good release properties for the transfer drum 5.
When forming an ink, the adhesion force is weak due to good releasability with the ink, and when the ink sheet is peeled off from the transfer drum 5 after the ink 2 has cooled and solidified and an attempt is made to form an ink image, the ink and the transfer drum The adhesion force of the transfer drum 5 is overcome by the shearing force of the ink, and the ink cannot be sheared, so that the ink is not transferred onto the transfer drum 5.

In the present invention, in the image forming process, the heated and melted ink is separated from the transfer drum 5 while maintaining its molten state. Therefore, the molten ink has a weak cohesive force and is easily sheared. Therefore, an ink image 1 faithful to the recording signal can be formed on the transfer drum 5 even with a weak adhesion force.

In this example, an energization recording method using a resistive heat generating sheet 9 and an energization recording head 7 was used, but compared to a method using a thermal head, this method does not require cooling the resistor, so it is faster. Ink 2
This is extremely advantageous in that the ink 2 can be peeled off from the transfer drum 5 in a molten state before it is cooled after being heated and melted.

Further, in this embodiment, silicone rubber was used for the transfer drum 5, but other materials such as fluororubber, fluorosilicone rubber, or a fluororesin coated on an elastic material may also be used. is obtained. This is because these materials have low molecular cohesive energy and therefore have good releasability from the ink, and are also highly elastic and have good compatibility with the recording paper 10, so that the ink from the transfer drum 5 during transfer is This is because peeling is sufficiently performed. In order to improve the releasability from the ink, the material for the surface of the transfer drum 5 has a solubility factor (SP) of 7.5.
The following are good, and if you want to increase the resolution during image formation, choose one with a higher solubility factor to get better results.

Example 2 Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a recording apparatus as a second embodiment using the recording method according to the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a color ink sheet used in the recording apparatus of FIG.

In FIG. 5, the recording section is the same as in FIG. Resistance heating sheet9. Roller 13° Ink sheet 3
The recording head 7 is brought into pressure contact with a transfer drum 5 made of silicone rubber, and as it rotates in the direction of the arrow, a recording signal is manually applied to the energized recording head 7 to sequentially record on the transfer drum 5. 3
6 is a halogen lamp for heating, and 37 is a reflecting mirror. 3
Reference numeral 5 denotes a pressure roller for transfer, which is normally located at a distance from the transfer drum 5 and is configured to press the transfer drum 5 with the recording paper 10 in between only during transfer. The halogen lamp 36 condenses its light with a reflecting mirror during transfer,
Ink image 3 immediately before the recording paper 10 contacts the transfer drum 5
It is configured to irradiate 8 surfaces. ink sheet 3
As shown in FIG. 6, the color ink is made by sequentially applying black, yellow, magenta, cyan, and 04 colors onto a base sheet in a length that is approximately the same as the width of the recording paper and the circumference of the transfer drum 5. It is a sheet.

Next, the operation will be explained. At the time when recording starts, the black tip of the ink sheet 3 is located at the recording position of the energized recording head 7, the pressure roller 35 is separated from the transfer drum 5, and the halogen lamp 36 is turned off. In this state, recording is performed sequentially according to the black recording signal, but in this image forming process, as in the case of Embodiment 1, the heated ink is separated from the ink sheet 3 onto the transfer drum 5 in a molten state. be done. When the transfer drum 5 completes one revolution and blank recording is completed, yellow ink is then positioned at the position of the energized recording head 7, and the yellow ink is overlaid and recorded on the transfer drum 5 that has finished recording black. . In this way, color ink images are sequentially overwritten on the transfer drum 5 in the order of yellow, then magenta, and then cyan to form a color image.

When the transfer drum 5, on which the fourth color ink image has been formed, comes to the transfer position, the halogen lamp 36 is turned on and the recording paper 1
0 is fed in, and the pressure roller 35 presses the recording paper 1.
The ink image 38 is irradiated with light just before the recording paper 10 and the transfer drum 5 come into contact with each other, and the ink image 38 absorbs the light, generates heat, and melts. become a state. Note that if the surface layer of the transfer drum 5 is black at this time, even ink that is difficult to absorb light can be efficiently dissolved. The ink image 38 melted by being irradiated with light comes into close contact with the recording paper 10 at the position of the pressure roller 35, and at the same time as it adheres to the recording paper 10, it is instantaneously cooled and solidified by the recording paper 10 and the transfer drum 5. After that, the recording paper]0 is peeled off from the transfer drum 5 and the ink image 3
8 are all transferred to the recording paper 10 side. After completing the series of operations, a color image is formed on the recording paper 10. In the transfer, the recording paper 10 is peeled off from the transfer drum 5 after the ink is cooled and solidified, as in the case of Example 1, so the transfer performance is good, and since no ink remains on the transfer drum 5, one sheet of color recording is possible. Once finished, the next recording can be made in succession.

The inks of the color ink sheet 3 used in this example have different melt viscosities, for example, 320, 2
40, 160, and 80 cp are used, decreasing in order. This is because when ink is layered to form an image, when the ink is separated from the transfer drum 5 while the ink is in a molten state, the ink already on the transfer drum 5 does not run out and the ink that is to be placed later is always removed. This is very effective in cutting and transferring onto the transfer drum 5.

In this example, the four colors used had different melt viscosities; for example, the first two colors were around 2 (10) cp, and the latter two colors were around 1 (10) cp. Even to a certain degree, relatively good results can be obtained.

Example 3 Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a recording apparatus as a third embodiment using the recording method according to the present invention. In FIG. 7, the transfer mechanism is the same as the mechanism shown in FIG. 5, and 36 is a halogen lamp, 37 is a reflecting mirror, and 35 is a pressure roller. Reference numerals 45 and 46 are end face type thermal heads, and a heat generating portion is provided near the right end of the thermal head so that the ink can be separated from the ink sheet 40 and the color ink sheet 41 before the ink is cooled and solidified during image formation.

The ink sheet 40 is a base sheet coated with a single black color, and the color ink sheet 41 is a base sheet coated with yellow, magenta, and cyan in sequence. 5 is a transfer drum made of silicone rubber as in FIG.

By dividing the recording head into one for black and one for color, switching between black and color can be easily performed without replacing the ink sheet, and the ink sheet can be used economically. Furthermore, if two recording heads simultaneously record, the recording speed can be increased.

Example 4 Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a recording apparatus as a fourth embodiment using the recording method according to the present invention. In FIG. 8, the transfer mechanism is the same as that shown in FIG. Reference numeral 50 denotes a transfer belt, which is a flexible endless belt whose surface is coated with silicone rubber, and is wound between a thermal head 51 and guide rollers 55 and 56. 60 is a solid ink roll, and 65 is a heating roller for shaping.

The thermal head 51 presses against the ink roll 60 via the transfer heald 50 and generates heat in response to a recording signal to melt the surface of the ink roll 60. When the transfer heald 50 and the ink roll 60 are separated with the ink melted, an ink image is formed on the transfer heald 50. Thereafter, by carrying out the same transfer as in Example 1, image recording on recording paper can be achieved.

The heat roller 65 sequentially smoothes the uneven surface formed by removing the ink.

With this configuration, if ink is used without waste, an economical device with low ink consumption can be constructed.

Effects of the Invention As described above, the recording method and recording apparatus of the present invention have the following advantages: (1) The intermediate transfer medium of the transfer drum and transfer belt is flexible and can easily follow the uneven surface of recording paper, so Clear images can be formed even on large recording paper. (2) Since the entire amount of ink can be transferred from the intermediate transfer medium to the recording paper, there is no need to clean the intermediate transfer medium, resulting in a simple configuration. (2) Since the surface of the intermediate transfer medium is highly smooth, the contact between the recording head and the ink sheet is stable, and an output image faithful to the input can be obtained.

In addition, since inks of multiple colors are recorded in layers on the intermediate transfer medium and then transferred all at the same time to recording paper, (1) highly accurate positioning of multiple colors is possible. ■Since there is no need to move the recording paper back and forth many times, the paper feeding mechanism can be simplified and troubles are less likely to occur. ■There is no need to hold the paper to accurately feed the cut paper, and it is possible to erase blank areas that cannot be recorded.

Furthermore, when multiple colors of ink are layered on an intermediate transfer medium, the inks are layered in descending order of viscosity, and as ink with lower viscosity is easier to cut, the ink that was placed first may be stripped off. The next ink can be applied stably without any problems.

In addition, by using a flexible material with a solubility factor of 7.5 or less and good releasability for the transfer drum, the surface of the recording moth and the ink surface can be made to follow each other with relatively small pressure. Further, due to its good releasability, all of the ink can be transferred onto the recording paper without leaving it on the transfer drum, so that good image quality can be obtained and cleaning of the transfer drum is not necessary.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the recording method of the present invention and the state of the image forming process of the recording apparatus, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the recording method of the present invention and FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the state of the transfer process of the recording apparatus. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the state when a transfer defect occurs in the transfer process. FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of the recording apparatus in the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. Configuration diagram of an ink sheet used for color recording of the present invention, No. 7
The figure is a configuration diagram of a recording device in a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a recording apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a conventional recording apparatus. 1... Ink image, 3... Ink sheet, 5... Transfer drum, 7... Current recording head, 9... Resistance heating Sheet, 10...
... Recording paper, 15 ... Endless belt, 2
0...Heat roller, 30...Group/recording electrode needle, 31...Return electrode, 36...Halogen lamp, 45...Thermal head. Name of agent Patent attorney Shigetaka Awano Haka 12 Crane I "-Ink Takashiyo 3°" Ink Sheet 5--Transfer Drawer A 7-iu Kojireito Head Diagram Prefecture Map 1/) Figure Channel diagram

Claims (15)

[Claims] (1) Using an intermediate transfer medium having elasticity, a thermofusible ink that melts and becomes fluid when heated, and a recording means that can form a fine heat distribution, the recording means can melt the solid of the recording means by partially melting the thermofusible ink and adhering it to the intermediate transfer medium, and separating the thermofusible ink and the intermediate transfer medium while the melted thermofusible ink is in a molten state. an image forming step of adhering and forming an ink image on the intermediate transfer medium in response to heating; and after adhering the ink image to the recording sheet by pressing a recording paper against the intermediate transfer medium, the ink image is below the melting point. A recording method in which a desired ink image is formed on a recording paper by a transfer step of separating the recording paper from the intermediate transfer medium and transferring the ink image onto the recording paper when the ink is in a solid state. (2) Using multiple heat-melting inks of different colors,
A multicolor ink image is formed by overlapping ink images of different colors on an intermediate transfer medium by sequentially performing an image forming process for each different color, and then a multicolor ink image is formed at once by one transfer process. 2. The recording method according to claim 1, further comprising transferring and forming on recording paper. (3) After forming a multicolor ink image by using a plurality of hot-melt inks having different colors and melt viscosities and overlapping ink images of different colors on an intermediate transfer medium in descending order of melt viscosity,
2. The recording method according to claim 1, wherein a multicolor ink image is transferred and formed on a recording sheet at once by one transfer step. (4) An intermediate transfer medium having elasticity, a thermofusible ink that melts and becomes fluid when heated, and a recording that partially heats and melts the thermofusible ink that generates fine heat distribution depending on the recording density. Supplying the solid heat-melting ink to a position in contact with the head means and the intermediate transfer medium, and leaving the heat-melt ink partially melted and adhered on the intermediate transfer medium by the recording head means. an ink supply means for separating and transporting the solid heat-melting ink from the intermediate transfer medium; a heating means for heating and melting the ink image formed on the intermediate transfer medium; and a recording sheet in contact with the intermediate transfer medium. a recording paper transporting means for separating and transporting the recording paper from the intermediate transfer medium after the recording paper has been transported to a position where the recording paper is to be transferred; and a pressure bonding means for pressing the recording paper onto the intermediate transfer medium so that the melted ink image follows and adheres to the recording paper. and partially melting and adhering the solid heat-melting ink supplied by the ink supply means to a position in contact with the intermediate transfer medium onto the intermediate transfer medium by the recording head means, and , separating the hot-melt ink and forming an ink image on the intermediate transfer medium by separating the hot-melt ink from the intermediate transfer medium while the hot-melt ink is in a molten state; The ink image is heated and melted by the heating means, and a recording paper is pressure-adhered onto the melted ink image by the pressure bonding means. After the ink image is cooled and solidified, the recording paper is removed from the intermediate transfer medium. A recording device that separates and transfers an ink image onto recording paper. (5) Using multiple heat-melting inks of different colors,
By sequentially performing the step of forming an ink image on the intermediate transfer medium for each different color, the multicolor ink images are formed one on top of the other on the intermediate transfer medium, and then the multicolor ink image is formed on the recording paper. Claim (4) Constructed for simultaneous transcription
Recording device as described. (6) Either of (4) or (5), wherein the recording head means is constituted by a resistive sheet that generates heat when energized, and an energizing head comprising a plurality of electrode needles that energize by contacting the resistive sheet. The recording device described in . (7) The recording device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the intermediate transfer medium has elasticity and its surface is made of a material having a solubility factor of 7.5 or less. (8) The recording device according to any one of claims (4) and (5), wherein the intermediate transfer medium is made of fluorosilicone rubber. (9) Claim (4) wherein the ink supply means includes an ink sheet having a heat-melting ink applied onto a sheet-like base material, and a winding means for winding the ink sheet into a roll.
Or the recording device according to any one of (5). (10) The hot melt ink has a melt viscosity of at least 50
10. The recording device according to claim 9, wherein the recording device has a film thickness of CP or more and a film thickness of 2μ or more. (11) The intermediate transfer medium is endless, and a color ink sheet is used in which heat-melt inks of multiple different colors are repeatedly applied sequentially onto a sheet-like base material, and each color is sequentially applied with a single recording head. The recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein ink images of different colors are repeatedly formed on the intermediate transfer medium in a superimposed manner. (12) The recording head means includes two recording heads, one of which is combined with a black ink sheet in which black thermofusible ink is applied on a sheet-like base material, and the other is combined with a black ink sheet that is coated with a plurality of thermofusible inks of different colors. 6. The recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the recording apparatus is configured to be capable of recording on the intermediate transfer medium individually in combination with color ink sheets applied repeatedly in sequence. (13) In a color ink sheet in which a plurality of heat-melt inks of different colors are repeatedly applied surface-sequentially on a sheet-like base material, the plurality of heat-melt inks have at least two or more different melt viscosities. and a color ink sheet in which hot-melt inks of colors having the highest melt viscosity are coated on the sheet-like base material in order of decreasing melt viscosity so that recording can be performed in descending order of melt viscosity. (14) The color ink sheet according to (13), wherein the plurality of colors are black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, and each color has a different melt viscosity. (15) The color ink sheet according to any one of (13) or (14), wherein each of the plurality of heat-melting inks of different colors has a melt viscosity of at least 50 cp or more and a film thickness of 2 μ or more.